Our Problems

Odyssey Team Members

Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problems

Every year Odyssey HQ releases new problems that touch on six different areas that have direct connections to real-world challenges and imaginative themes.

Students will discover and be introduced to the fundamentals of STEAM while practicing the skill of working with others to solve fun problems and building solutions from recycled items and components in innovative ways. All the while, they will be working within a budget and learning how to make the most of everything.

2024-2025 Problems

It’s a Wonderful World!

2024-2025 Odyssey of the Mind Primary Problem

The OH-Mazing Race

Odyssey of the Mind Problem One - vehicle

Mech-Animal Sidekick

Odyssey of the Mind Problem Two - Technical

Classics… Cooking with Books

Odyssey of the Mind Problem Three - Classics

Save Me Structure

2024-2025 Odyssey of the Mind Problem Four

AstronOMical Odyssey

2024-2025 Odyssey of the Mind Problem Five - Performance

 Spontaneous

In competition, every team solves a spontaneous problem. This part of the competition is called “Spontaneous” because teams don’t know what they’ll have to do until they enter the competition room; spontaneous problems are kept “top secret.” Solving spontaneous problems teaches students to think on their feet and to creatively solve problems as they arise.

2024-2025 Long-Term Problem Synopses

*Remember that these are just a taste of the challenge to come.  DO NOT try to solve the problem from this small note.  Complete problem details will be out by the end of August. You need a membership to access the complete problem.

LATEST NEWS
  • NEW! COU Increases Scholarship Amounts
    OMers, you deserve to be rewarded for your creativity, problem-solving skills, and dedication. We are thrilled to announce an increase in scholarships for high school seniors who have participated in Odyssey of the Mind! This year, COU is offering: Odyssey of the Mind Scholarships: What You Need to Know! WHO can apply?This program is open… Read more: NEW! COU Increases Scholarship Amounts
  • Tuesday Tip: Finishing Up Big Items
    At this point, the tournament is quickly approaching and the team still needs to get major parts of their solution completed. Again, this is NORMAL. And with encouragement, the team CAN do it.
  • Tuesday Tip: Getting Back on Track
    Happy New Year! Don’t be alarmed if it is January and your team still doesn’t have any costumes, any props, any other major parts of their solution completed This is NORMAL.